Times when I don’t want you bothering me
Americans love to say “How you doing?” to every random stranger they pass during their day. Finns are the exact opposite, they’ll avoid even eye contact with their next door neighbor. I like being able to make small talk with a stranger without fear they’ll think I’m intoxicated - and I don’t mind strangers making small talk with me. But here’s times when I don’t want you bothering me…
1. When I’m out in nature - I took a walk on a bike trail with my mother, almost everyone who passed said “HI” or “How you doing?” and one couple even began a conversation. And if you don’t say “Hi” back to them, they’ll think you’re an asshole.
2. When I having a conversation with another person - Many times this past week, I’ll be having a conversation with my sister or mother, and out pops some asshole who’s been eavesdropping on us the whole time and decides to chime in.
3. When I’m reading - If my nose is buried in a newspaper or book, fuck off.
4. When I’m stuffing my face with raw oysters in Baltimore
have fun man. when you get back to finland you should write more about the differences between americans and finn’s
that’s something i’d personally be interested in knowing
Comment by Stefan Constantinescu — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 5:07 am
Welcome back!
Yes it is annoying to be bothered all the time. I only need an ‘excuse me’ if your trying to squeeze by me or a ‘thank you’ if I just help the door open for you.
Comment by Fred Fry — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 5:35 am
In the states, I say a lot of “How are you??” with a big smile on my face when I need something from someone like a cashier, taxi driver, sales clerk etc.. - always seem to get better service when you start off being friendly.
Comment by Phil — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 5:57 am
Yeah, but how about them oysters..or Maryland crabcakes..or Maine lobster..or frickin New England Clam Chowder… YUMM!!!
I do agree on the overly annoying “How are you?” all the time in the States. Maybe I have become Finnisized? In the States when someone says “How are ya?”, they don’t really want any other answer other than “Fine. And you?”..to which you expect a “Good” or “Fine” in return. At least here when someone says “How are you?”, I know they actually give a crap about the answer.
Comment by Stephanie — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Hey Phil, you’ve become Finnish!
Comment by Kaislis — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 10:31 am
Finns have also gotten into the habit of the “Moi, mitä kuuluu?”, “Mitäs tässä, entä itelles?”, “Ihan hyvää.” -line of conversation. Sure, we don’t do it as often as everybody else, but it’s not that uncommon, either. Personally, I’m more of a smile, “Moi!”, move on -type of person. I never forget the smile and the greeting, anything else would be rude.
Comment by Anzi — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 10:36 am
hmmm…
I remember some time ago reading a story about a translator who found it ridiculously difficult to translate into English the full exchange of information in this Finnish dialogue:
“Mitäs äijä?”
- “Paskaaks tässä.”
Comment by FinnFreak — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
It gets more open once you get away from the Helsinki region, but not to the same degree as in the US. Many Americans tend to talk as they’re thinking of something to say
I don’t see it as a bad trait though. It’s probably healthier, psychologically speaking. On the other hand, Europe is good for reading books….
Bavaria might be an exception. You can always expect a wave and the customary _religious_ greeting, Grüß Gott, when riding on the bike path.
Comment by Kristian — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Eat at Bertha’s
Comment by hfb — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Hei there,
I was in Baltimore last week too for a conference at JHU. I hope you hadn’t experienced the harsh snow storm there was on Baltimore. Indeed, it was warmer in Oulu..
BR,
M.
Comment by Mehdi — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
In the states, I say a lot of “How are you??†with a big smile on my face when I need something from someone like a cashier, taxi driver, sales clerk etc..
The greeting I can muster, but a smile is impossible for a Finn, no matter how hard one tries.
So, you’re an oyster aficionado? Have you shopped around? A few years ago I would’ve had the chance to sample some Galway Bay oysters but couldn’t get around to it. I’ve read that Swedish ones are pretty good as well.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
You kind of have that ‘fuck off, eating’ look in the picture :).
Comment by aet75 — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
i like the shape of your nose
Comment by it's so beatiful — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
Hah, my oysters are bigger tha yours:
Southern Maryland ones that is:
oysters
[IMG]http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q129/wintermd/oystersonfire.jpg[/IMG]
Comment by winter “Against stupidity, the gods themselves are helpless.†— Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
Hmm, winter’s hands and feet are quite small. Peculiar.
Comment by Passer-by — Tue, Mar 27th, 2007 @ 11:54 pm
Hmm, I was taking the picture.
Comment by winter “Against stupidity, the gods themselves are helpless.†— Wed, Mar 28th, 2007 @ 2:27 am
The boat lift is empty, as we take them out for winter. But the sailboat stays in unless I am painting the bottom, a winter time job.
Comment by winter “Against stupidity, the gods themselves are helpless.†— Wed, Mar 28th, 2007 @ 2:30 am
I hope you hadn’t experienced the harsh snow storm there was on Baltimore.
It was Friday. I drove home from New York in it. Took me 9 hours. Totally insane.
Comment by Phil — Wed, Mar 28th, 2007 @ 4:45 am
It was Friday. I drove home from New York in it. Took me 9 hours. Totally insane.
On Friday, we were on a nice little promenade in Central Park. On Saturday night, we were on a cruise around Manhattan, with only outside seating available. Talk about insane. Now, I wouldn’t call it a snow storm. It was an ice storm.
At the expense of our health, we managed to snag some photos. I guess I should start contributing to flickr.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Mar 28th, 2007 @ 6:47 am
Phil, is there anything new on the People v/s Kouros thing ;)? I know you promised to keep us posted, but I’m the kind of person who searched for and opened hidden Christmas gifts…
Comment by aet75 — Wed, Mar 28th, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
After you’ve been greeted fifty times by the portier or whoever from the hotel staff while staying in one in the states, you should just start giving back even bigger compliments to them. When you tell the guy “you have beautiful eyes” , or “I’m fine thanks, but you are looking absolutely amazing today!”, they’ll leave you alone eventually.
Comment by Keksi — Thu, Mar 29th, 2007 @ 2:36 am
Ah Phil, you’ve been Finninized lol. Every time I head back to the States I’m amazed how many people butt in conversations I’m having with my family and how people just say their opinions and you don’t even know them lol.
Also if people are talking to themselves or to you, you think they’ve been out of Kellokoski for the day
Comment by Kat — Thu, Mar 29th, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Looks an awful lot like a Maripaita… If it is, Phil is a Finn.
Comment by presso — Thu, Mar 29th, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Why talk to strangers if you have nothing important to say?
Hi there, Nice weather isn’t it?
Oh man the bus is always late and my car is broken down..
Well today it is Monday again, back to work he he!?
it’s called sällskapssjuk in Swedish… it’s a personality disorder.
Comment by The Swede — Fri, Mar 30th, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
i am from mexico, i think that the most inteligent people that the humankind could give like einstein any many others to give you an example lived alone.
i agree that if you dont want any comunication is your right. and also i agree that if you want peace you got to rest to be alone competely.
there are 2 types of person the person A and the person B you can call it peace and war.
i think that the evil person sometimes can give you a lot of problems but you can always pray to god if you are a good person you are not alone but you are think about it ok bye
Comment by Felipe — Wed, May 16th, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
well, i must have some Finnish in my bloodline somewhere because i totally understand you and heartily agree. unfortunately, i have a husband just like what you describe. damn!
Comment by bluekat — Wed, Feb 20th, 2008 @ 5:52 pm